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Architectural visions in aquarelle

Casual gestures of lines, the colors of nature, rolling shapes – these are the elements of Matteo Thun’s architectural visions on paper in aquarelle. The initial drafted manifestations of his structural creativity, these sketches are an art form unto themselves and captivate us with their simple beauty, clarity, and the melding of structure and landscape.

The star architect and Milan resident, born in Bolzano, Italy, is dedicated to a style of building that integrates nature, transparency, and socio-cultural aspects into a sustainable whole. The genius loci – the particular spirit or atmosphere of a place – is crucial to his work. The landscape should operate as a cultural landscape; the buildings should disappear into it by assuming similar characteristics while translating these into discreet architectural elements. Natural materials such as regional wood and stone, glass, and soft natural materials for the interiors, as well as forms borrowed from the surrounding environment, play a crucial role: the Pergola Residence in Algund near Meran, Italy allows the vineyard to flow into the resort and the 12 apartments, two suites, breakfast room, and spa. A location’s climatic conditions are always integrated into the buildings’ energy supply, while large glass panels continuously create a flow between inside and out.

Thun’s aquarelles exude tranquility, concentration, and the desire to harmonize architecture and nature and best exemplify the goals of his designs. The soft stroke of the brush, the harmonious unity of building and landscape in the image, the lines reduced only to the essentials are congenial artistic expressions of Thun’s architectural visions – visions of sustainable architecture one with nature.

1952

Born in Bozen, South Tyrol, Italy

1973 - 1976

Studied at the Akademie für Kunst in Salzburg under Professor Oskar Kokoschka

1975

Received doctorate in architecture from the University of Florence

1980 - 1984

Co-founded the Memphis- group in Milan and became a partner of the Sottsass Associati together with Ettore Sottsass

1983 - 2000

Taught at the School for Applied Arts in Vienna

1984

Inaugurated his own course of study in Milan

1990 -1993

Art Director for Swatch

2000

Founded his current company with the partners Luca Colombo, Herbert Rathmaier and Antonio Rodriguez

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